Sociedad gift Real top spot

Real Sociedad threw away a one-goal lead to end up losing 3-1 to Real Madrid, a result which takes the Merengues to the top of the table.

The Basque visitors got off to a great start despite the intense cold in the Spanish capital and had Real against the ropes for the first 20 minutes of the match.

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas kept Real in the match as the Txuri Urdin hammered the home goal and left-back Roberto Carlos headed against his own bar as John Toshack's boys tightened the screw.

But Alberto López was kept busy at the other end and pulled out a fantastic save tipping over the bar from a Luis Figo 25-yarder. However, Dimitri Khoklov put Real Sociedad ahead six minutes before half time. The Russian turned to fire low past Casillas and inside the right post.

Edgaras Jankauskas missed the chance to double Sociedad's lead moments later when he found himself clear on goal with Casillas floored, but he skied his effort over the bar. From that moment on, Toshack's side caved in and gifted their hosts with three silly goals to take the match.

Madrid pulled a goal back on the cusp of half-time when ex-Liverpool defender Bjorn Tore Kvarme attempted a pass back to Alberto but ended up turning into his own net.

Raúl González took advantage of more defensive errors from the visitors to squeeze the ball inside the right post from a tight angle on the hour.

Then the home side were awarded a penalty when Aitor Rekarte needlessly barged over Zinedine Zidane in the box. Luis Figo fired the resulting spot-kick under the bar to make it 3-1 to Real Madrid.

Vicente Del Bosque sees his side become overnight leaders in La Primera but the situation could change when Alavés, Deportivo and Real Betis play their fixtures tomorrow.

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